Ren: Hey minna-san. Third chapter, aren't you proud? I am, I haven't had a lot of time lately to write, with all of the homework, projects, and competitions I have had. But still, I am sorry about the wait, I really shouldn't be excused.

Kero: I'll give you credit, you're not blaming your school for your lack of writing.

Suppi: True.

Ren: I don't have much to say (because this is written ahead of time, then I go and fix it before I post)

Ren: two things to apologize for: short chapters and OOC, but I promise, no OC.

"Talking"

Thinking, unless it's in a flashback

~~Flashback/End of Flashback~~

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(A/N: me talking, but I doubt this will occur much unless I need to explain something or Kero and Suppi interrupt)

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Summary: Loosely based on the Disney movie, Anastasia. The plot will change drastically as the story goes on, so don't worry about already knowing the ending or whole plot, I have ideas for twists. Oh, and it takes place in about 1877, no particular date. There are no cards, but there is magic.

Disclaimer: Unfortunately, I, like no one else who writes fanfiction for CCS does not own it, CLAMP does (lucky smart people).

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One December Night: In Search of the present

(POV of Syaoran)

Some people stopped to look at them, others didn't waste their precious time. Life was work, and work was never finished, that's their motto, a young man thought in a nearby coffee shop.

He slowly drank a hot cup of coffee from a green chipped mug. He looked out the window to see the one of the two strangers everyone was talking about.

So the rumor is true, Syaoran thought.

'Them' was actually a pair of outsiders in the small town. This town, the town that never changed, was always busy, and so disrupted by one inconstant variable, had a visitor. Sure, they had travelers pass in and out of the town, but they traveled in cars or on horses. This visitor was nothing like them. He wore brown raggedy clothes that didn't seem comfortable or warm. The person looked lost, unaccustomed to Tomoeda, which was odd, because almost all of Japan and China knew about Tomoeda due to their fine silks they produced and some had even past through this town on their way to one place or another.

Syaoran couldn't believe it. Opportunity arose to meet the new fellows, and he never passed up an opportunity. He wanted to met knew people and do something with his life, and that did not include being stuck in Tomoeda. Maybe they could help him, or he could travel with them.

Thoughts started to form in the young man's head about the possibilities once he met the strangers.

Syaoran exited the coffee shop moments later, only to be met by an icy wind and cold winter morning. Across the street was one of the newcomers he planned to meet. He cautiously crossed the street to approach them and stopped dead in his tracks.

It was the auburn-haired woman with emerald eyes and that yellow dog that had chased him a day ago!

(P.O.V. Change to Sakura and Kero)

This town is so strange. People look at me weirdly, or ignore me and Kero completely. I hope I haven't done anything offensive, Sakura thought.

The young woman, accompanied by her golden-yellow dog, walked down the streets of a town called Tomoeda.

She looked lost and confused, which was very much the case. Having never been outside of Eriol and Tomoyo's small village, Sakura knew very little about the outside world, or at least, from what her memory allowed her to remember.

Thinking about Tomoyo and Eriol brought tears to her eyes. The young woman wished she never left the only friends she ever knew.

Kero noticed his friend's discomfort, and whined, begging her to be cheerful once more. Soon, he received her full attention, but only for a moment. She looked at him with sad green eyes, showing pain, and for a second shock. Everything would soon turn into worry in a matter of seconds.

(A few seconds before)

Kero had tried to get his mistress' attention in order to distract her from her sorrowful thoughts. Sakura had looked down at the dog with remorse. But something had caught her eye as she looked down to Kero.

Sakura looked up, it was that man! The chestnut-haired man with amber eyes. She couldn't miss him or his strange familiarity from a mile away, but since he was heading towards her from across the street, it was nearly impossible not to stare openly at him!

Maybe he could help her uncover her past, he did seem familiar to her, and she never felt like that before.

But then, her hope came crashing down as a speeding car turned onto the road. The young man, halfway towards her with a smile of ignorance to the situation, turned his head slowly as he heard the sound of a beeping car. There was a violent crunch as the car hit the man head on at full speed and drove off without any guilt of the trouble he had created. (A/N: they have old, old cars, like when they were first invented. For them to be speeding, it would be like 20 miles an hours at most, so to be hit wouldn't be to the extremity as it is today, except for the medical situation)

Sakura ran over to the young man she never met before.

"Someone, get help, please! Hurry!" she cried, kneeling next to the man. Worried, Kero stood a few feet behind her, observing the bond his mistress felt for this stranger.

Kero quietly growled at the man. He didn't like all the attention he was receiving from his mistress, but now was not the time to voice his opinions on this man.

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Ren: I think that may be a good cliffy, but it's so short!

Kero: What's with the dramatics?

Suppi: I guess it's supposed to make the story good.

Kero: oh

Ren: Wait, you're saying it's not?!?!

Kero and Suppi: Uh… well…*sweatdrop*

Ren: Thanks for the support. Anyways, tell me how you like it, and don't worry, I know what will happen, no writers block for the next chapter, especially if someone's in danger, I am not cruel! Just review, and you get it quicker! ^_^. Till next time, ja ne.